RI, Malaysian FMs in RP to discuss of Misuari

RI, Malaysian FMs in RP to discuss of Misuari

Agence France-Presse, Manila

The Indonesian and Malaysian foreign ministers arrived in the Philippines Thursday to discuss the fate of renegade Filipino Muslim leader Nur Misuari, the foreign department here said.

Syed Hamid Albar of Malaysia and Indonesia's Hassan Wirayuda met behind closed doors with the Philippine vice president and foreign secretary, Teofisto Guingona.

Neither Syed Hamid nor Guingona commented after a meeting on whether a breakthrough had been achieved on the status of Misuari, who is being held in Malaysia.

But Kuala Lumpur now appears willing to consider Manila's proposal to send the 60-year-old former separatist guerrilla leader to a third country, possibly to Libya.

Misuari is in detention in Malaysia after entering the country illegally when a short-lived revolt by his supporters in the southern Philippine island of Jolo was put down last month.

Malaysia wants to return Misuari to the Philippines but President Gloria Arroyo is reluctant to accept him so soon and is considering letting him stay in a third country, possibly Libya, until January.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is closely monitoring the impasse and sent Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda to Manila to join the meeting.

Guingona told a news conference without elaborating: "From these talks, we'll formulate the course of action that the Philippine government will take."

Syed Hamid said he reiterated Malaysia's position.

"That means he is a citizen of the Philippines, subject to Philippine law, and in accordance with our understanding, he will be deported accordingly," the minister said.

None of the ministers took any questions. Syed Hamid and Wirayuda both end their visits Friday.